Alessandro Baccari, Fisherman’s
Wharf Historian, on the Significance of the new Hyde Street Fishing
Harbor

Thankfully, the Port of San
Francisco has been extremely committed to the preservation and
upkeep of the fishing industry at Fisherman’s Wharf and within the
last ten years, some wonderful things have occurred. First came the
renovation of Pier 45 following the ’89 quake. This place is one
of the best facilities anywhere on the West Coast to house fish
processing operators and wholesalers. In fact, the largest wholesale
operation on the West Coast is right here in San Francisco on
Fisherman’s Wharf.

Recently, there was large debate
in San Francisco about these Piers. We felt the fishing industry at
Fisherman’s Wharf was threatened. It boiled down to a ballot
measure and over 70% of the voters said to keep the fish at
Fisherman’s Wharf. Now in essence, all of Pier 45 will be
dedicated to the fishing industry.

Keep in mind that’s 11 acres,
plus the inner and outer lagoons, the waterways. We fought for and
got state money for a breakwater to protect the fishing boats. Then
lo and behold came the need for more berthing so thereupon came the
thought of developing a new fishing harbor to complement the inner
and outer lagoon harbor

It’s gratifying that the Port
is so aware of the importance of the fishing industry and what it
means to the economy of not only the Port, but to the city. The
fishing business contributes over $100 million to the San Francisco
economy. And it’s just one part of the Fisherman’s Wharf
economic engine, which drives San Francisco’s number one industry,
tourism. Eight of ten tourists visiting San Francisco make their way
to Fisherman’s Wharf, over 12 million in all.

Everyone knows about Ghirardelli
Square, The Cannery, The Anchorage and Pier 39, and the Maritime
Museum. But many are surprised to learn that it all adds up to
better than 4,000 hotel rooms, over 144 restaurants and a tremendous
amount of stores. And without the fishing industry, you can’t have
a Fisherman’s Wharf. Right now 32,000 people work at Fisherman’s
Wharf. Of that, over sixty percent are minority. We have a rainbow
coalition that we’re proud of. We even have the Art Academy.